Template:Paradigm Practice Instruments

Paradigm, Practice, and Instruments

Magick is not merely a set of spells—it’s a direct expression of the mage’s belief about how the world works. The Traditions understand that reality is shaped by conviction, meaning that a character’s Paradigm, Practice, and Instruments aren’t just flavor—they’re the spiritual and philosophical backbone of their magic.

Together, these three elements form the Focus: a unified framework through which a Tradition mage interprets the world and enacts change upon it.

Paradigm

The Paradigm is your mage’s core belief about how the universe functions. Is reality a dream? A divine construct? A program running on a higher machine? This belief is more than just a worldview—it’s the lens through which your mage channels their power. Every Effect your character attempts should, in some way, make sense within the logic of their Paradigm. A Dreamspeaker might view reality as shaped by spirits, while a Hermetic may believe in immutable laws of universal correspondences.

When choosing a Paradigm, consider:

• What is the nature of reality?
• What causes things to happen?
• What forces does your mage believe they’re calling upon—or becoming?

Practice

Your Practice is the method by which your mage enacts their Paradigm. It’s the system or discipline they’ve trained in—what they've learned to do in order to make magick work. While two mages may both believe in divine will, one might express it through ascetic meditation while another chants verses from sacred texts. Examples of Practices include High Ritual Magick, Shamanism, Martial Arts, Yoga, Hermetic Invocation, or Alchemical Transmutation.

The Practice serves as a structure that grounds your mage’s understanding and implementation of their beliefs. It also informs which types of Instruments they’re likely to use.

Instruments

Instruments (Also called Foci) are the tools your mage uses to apply their Practice and express their Paradigm. These can be physical items—like prayer beads, ritual daggers, or incense—or symbolic behaviors and routines, like dance, code-writing, fasting, singing, or complex equations. Instruments help your mage focus their will and refine their intention.

A new character must begin with at least seven Instruments that they commonly use, ideally spanning a range of Spheres and situations. Seven is both a symbolic number and a useful one—helping ensure the mage’s focus is broad enough to handle a variety of magical tasks. Over time, as a mage’s Arete (Enlightenment) grows, they may gradually move beyond needing some of these tools, but in the beginning, Instruments are a vital part of performing magick.

You are free to create new Instruments or combine existing ones with Storyteller approval, as long as they make sense for your character’s overall concept. Hybrid focuses are also possible—for example, a Virtual Adept who integrates chaos magick into their hacking rituals, or an Akashic who combines meditation with bone-setting techniques.